Best NonWOTC Campaign setting?

[Zakter]

characters will start at 3rd level.

1. Kalamar. Very good internal consistancy. Fairly low magic world but
magic isn't changed.

2. Morningstar. Has an epic feel to it but no changes in the rule set.

3. Bluffside: Another city setting, but with their own book on the desert, makes a nice mini-camapign that can be slotted into any other setting.

4. The Hunt: Lots of different cultures and clashes abound. No changes to the rule set. Fairly inexpensive with lots of web support. (Anyone know what happened to the comic they were working on?)

5. Scarred Lands: It used to have a lot of internal consistency! It's still one of the big boys. Changes on magic are minimal but the various sourcebooks have added a lot not only to the setting, but to the d20 system itself. I still plunder heavily from it.

You might want to include what level of support you'rel ooking for. #2, 3, and 4 don't have a lot of support but are still solid. #1 and #5 do but are completely different settings.

 

[d20Dwarf]

I basically want something that does't require change of major classes. I like Forgotten Realms a great deal, however we have beaten that setting to death.

Maybe you should give Dawnforge a try. Most of the core classes are intact, and there are a few cool new ones. In some ways the setting is like a Golden Age of Faerun, and it plays like Forgotten Realms (at least in my campaign, which could be a reflection of my love of the Realms). You can find more info at www.fantasyflightgames.com , and a fansite at www.pathsoflegend.org

 

[devita]

I would have to go with <I>Iron Kingdoms</I> from Privateer Press. The support product has been, well, to put it nicely, sparce, but the product that has been released is top notch. The major book (400 pages) will be on shelves shortly, or so I have heard.

- devita

 

[Psion]

I basically want something that does't require change of major classes.

So much for Midnight <---(subtle hint to those that are still plugging it...)

It also sounds like Kalamar need not apply unless you want to chuck the supplemental rules books (which isn't a bad idea). But it is pretty much core fantasy, so if you are worn or FR, it might be a bit close for your taste.

I think Scarred Lands and Oathbound might work as they are a bit more off the beaten path but don't futz around a whole lot with the core classes.

Scarred Lands doesn't change the core classes but the setting, as written, accomodates them rather well. For example, there is a distinct difference in the setting between druids and clerics and the role they play in the campaign. It also supports the existing classes rather well with its magic books and setting specific class books.

Oathbound doesn't futz a whole lot with the core classes (but I really thought some prestige classes in the first supplement stunk; watch out for those). It has a lot of variant races however, and the big different mechanic it brings to the table are the prestige races, which slowly alter a character.

Arcanis might also be a good choice, but I am less familiar with it.

 

[Desdichado]

I'd vote for Iron Kingdoms, if the book would ever come out.

Then again, maybe I should get the book before I prejudge it so highly. But I like everything that's come out for that setting so far.

It does change a few classes -- at least the Ranger is tweaked, but it also still seems to run fairly close to standard 3e rules.

 

[MEG Hal]

3. Bluffside: Another city setting, but with their own book on the desert, makes a nice mini-camapign that can be slotted into any other setting.

4. The Hunt: Lots of different cultures and clashes abound. No changes to the rule set. Fairly inexpensive with lots of web support. (Anyone know what happened to the comic they were working on?)

#3 Thanks and Sigil will be doing a mega adventure for that setting at some point.

#4 GenConish we hope!

Thanks Joe

 

[Psion]

4. The Hunt: Lots of different cultures and clashes abound. No changes to the rule set. Fairly inexpensive with lots of web support.

Has variant classes.

 

[Ashrem Bayle]

See my sig.

 

[Frost]

I recently finished a Scarred Lands campaign and had a lot of fun DMing that. Although I'm running a homebrew world now, if I was to pick up a new setting, it would buy The Wilderlands by Necromancer Games...

 

[Khairn]

It really depends on what I am looking for ...

For a dark and gritty game ... Midnight
For a high fantasy game ... Scarred Lands & then Morningstar
For a low fantasy game ... Harn
For fantasy with a steaming twist ... Iron Kingdoms

Each has its own unique flavor and theme, which is one of the reasons why IMHO they are the best.